North Douglas Herald
February 2024
5 Timeless Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas
On a day that signifies the importance of
love and companionship, many people find it
rewarding to show their loved ones just how
much they mean. If you’re in the gift-giving
spirit this Valentine’s Day, you may find a bit of
inspiration with these ideas.
Just remember, whether you’re celebrating
the relationship with your significant other or
showing appreciation for a friend, the best gifts
come from the heart.
* Food - If your partner is a foodie, a
Valentine’s Day date is an obvious choice. Make
a reservation at his or her favorite restaurant or
opt for takeout and enjoy quiet time together
in the comfort of home. Satisfy that special
someone’s sweet tooth with a classic box of
chocolates or create a personalized candy
basket full of guilty pleasures.
* Jewelry - Whether you’ve been together a
year, a decade or more, it’s a perfect opportunity
to splurge for a gift he or she will cherish for a
lifetime. Necklaces, bracelets, earrings, anklets,
watches and more all make for perfect gifts that
can often be customized with engravings like
names or important dates.
Story by Scooter Brown
* Experiences - Oftentimes, the gift of
moments together means more than a trinket.
Consider the things you enjoy doing side by
side and schedule a day or weekend to do
nothing but your favorite activities. Book a
tour at a local museum, find tickets to the next
big game, sit frontstage for a favorite band or
road trip to a nearby attraction for new sights
and sounds.
* Subscriptions - Gifts don’t always need
to be sentimental. Sometimes, they can be
downright practical. Creating an account for
a new streaming service or music platform,
signing up for monthly food or wine gift boxes
and buying ticket packages for a favorite local
team are all gifts that keep on giving.
* Handwritten Notes and Flowers - Take
time to write what you appreciate most about
your special someone - personality traits,
favorite memories, thoughtful gestures and
why they’re important to you - and pair your
note with favorite flowers. Gifts may spark
a smile, but sharing a moment of connection
offers a reminder of what you’re celebrating in
the first place.
Inaugural Oregon Civics Bee
(Entry Deadline March 4)
Oregon Business & Industry is partnering
with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Foundation to host a first-of-its-kind civics
competition in Oregon that encourages
middle-school students to engage in civics
and contribute to their communities.
Middle school students throughout
Oregon are invited to participate in the
inaugural Oregon Civics Bee. Presented
by the Oregon Business & Industry
Research and Education Foundation, this
competition will give students a chance
to share their ideas for improving their
communities and show their enthusiasm
for civics. Participants will have a
chance to win cash prizes ranging from
$500 to $1,000.
“Today’s students are tomorrow’s
leaders,” said OBI President and CEO
Angela Wilhelms. “Civics education and
engagement are critical to an informed
citizenry and healthy democracy, all of
which underpins a prosperous economic
future. Engaging middle school students
in a fun, engaging and rewarding
opportunity is one small way OBI can
help with education and awareness.”
The Oregon Civics Bee is part of U.S.
Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s
National Civics Bee. The winner of
the Oregon Civics Bee will be invited
to participate in the national round of
the competition in Washington, D.C.
Participants in the national competition
will have a chance to win cash prizes
ranging from $5,000 to $10,000.
Any 6th, 7th or 8th grader who’d
like to participate in the Oregon Civics
Bee will identify a problem in their
community and write a 500-word
essay about how they could address it.
The essay must be submitted by means
of a portal on the Oregon Civics Bee
website. The portal will open on Nov.
13, and all entries must be submitted by
March 4, 2024.
A panel of judges will review the essays
and select 20 students to participate in
the Oregon Civics Bee finale on May 30,
2024, in Willamette University’s Hudson
Hall. The live competition will include a
quiz-style round and, for three finalists,
a chance to make the case for their essay
in front of a panel of judges.
Additional information for students,
parents and teachers can be found on the
Oregon Civics Bee website. There is no
charge to participate.
Business Oregon Awards $1.8M
Continued from Page 6
events for entrepreneurs, plus ongoing alignment
with the regional Main Street program.
Oregon Frontier Chamber ($90,000) – The
OFC identified business community priorities
and is now poised to address them, including
reinforcing support for its Rural Ambassador
program, tailoring direct assistance and
training to meet individual business needs,
expanding support for youth entrepreneurship,
and solidifying the Rural Regional Main Street
program with participating communities and
Oregon Main Street.
RAIN Catalysts ($100,000) – RAIN and
project partners will be active in 29 rural
communities and four counties (Linn, Lane,
Benton, and Grant Counties) across the state,
providing programming, events, and youth
entrepreneurship bootcamps that harness
existing momentum and contribute to sustainable
Page 7
ecosystems that prioritize entrepreneurs.
Umpqua CDC ($75,000) – Umpqua CDC and
project partners will address the lack of
available childcare in the region through training,
instruction, and support for culturally
specific providers as they build sustainable
businesses and the ecosystem that supports
them.\
Warm Springs Community Action Team
($110,000) – WSCAT will support development
of a small business incubator on the Warm
Springs Reservation in an effort to inspire
authentic and positive relationships among
Warm Springs entrepreneurs, visitors, and
clientele, and to build a robust pipeline of
entrepreneurs for the Commissary.
For more information on Business Oregon’s
ROI program, please visit
www.oregon.gov/biz
Port of Umpqua 2 Positions
Open for Board of Commissioners
The Port of Umpqua is seeking applicants
to fill 2 vacancies for Position(s) #1 and #2 on
the Board of Commissioners. These are vol-
unteer positions; the appointees will not receive
compensation. Both of these appointee’s terms
will expire June 30, 2025.
To be eligible for appointment, an appli-
cant: Must live within the Port District (includes
Gardiner, Reedsport, Winchester Bay, Ash
Valley, Scottsburg, Elkton, parts of the Smith
River area and other rural areas within Western
Douglas County – SEE MAP BELOW OF
THE DISTRICT BOUNDARY); and Must be
a registered voter in the Port District
Applications must be received in the office
by February 14, 2024 and are available at the
Port office: 1877 Winchester Ave, Reedsport or
you can download a copy if you click HERE
For additional information, contact Port
Manager Scott Kent 241-271-2232
Completed applications can be hand
delivered to our office 1877 Winchester Ave,
Reedsport OR 97467, mailed to The Port of
Umpqua, P.O. Box 388, Reedsport, OR 97467
or you can also email them to: portofumpqua@
portofumpqua.net
WIC is a supplemental nutrition
education program for children under
5, Pregnant and Post-Partum Women.
If you are a parent, grandparent, foster
parent, or legal guardian of a child
under 5 years old or pregnant, you can
apply. WIC gives you the information,
tools and support, helping you and your
children along the path of lifelong health.
WIC provides Breastfeeding education,
support and food packages design for
nutritional needs.
Could you or your family benefit from
a Supplemental food and Nutrition
Education Program?
WIC appointments are available in
Roseburg, Reedsport, Drain, Sutherlin,
Myrtle Creek, Canyonville, Glendale and
Glide.
Scan and fill out the interest form
Or Call/Text 541-440-3516